Overton, Johns Creek Now 8-1 After 24-18 Win Over NW Whitfield

Skye Overton threw for one touchdown and rushed for two more to lead the Gladiators (8-1) to a 24-18 Region 7-AAAAA victory over visiting Northwest Whitfield (5-4) Friday.

The win kept the Gladiators in a first-place tie in the region with Chattahoochee, but they will need some help if they want to win the regular-season title. Johns Creek lost to Chattahoochee earlier in the season and will need a win over Forsyth Central next week, plus a Chattahoochee loss at Rome to finish first. Northwest Whitfield saw its playoff hopes end with the loss.

The game was delayed 20 minutes by a power outage shortly after the game had started, two plays into Northwest Whitfield's opening possession.

The Gladiators went to work once the lights came back on. 

On their first play from scrimmage, running back Chase Solomon rushed for 30 yards into Bruins territory. The drive bogged down do to a false start penalty and the Gladiators were faced with a third-and-13. However, Overton completed a 26-yard pass to Andrew Zamblin to the Bruins' 9. Two plays later, Overton scored on a 5-yard carry to give Johns Creek a 7-0 lead.

The Gladiator defense held the Bruins on their next possession, thanks to the play of Denny Victor, Sam Arrignton and Kirby Southard. All three players made stops on the drive, and the Bruins were forced to punt.

After an Overton fumble, the Bruins got on the scoreboard with a 38-yard field goal by Miguel Vila, making the score 7-3. The Bruins threatened again to score when Overton was intercepted by Andy Whisenant. However, the Gladiators defense held and Vila then missed a 25-yard field goal attempt.

Overton then connected with Solomon for a 21-yard touchdown pass on the Gladiators' next possession, increasing lead to 14-3. Johns Creek had the ball again with 31 second left in the first half, but Kyle Fowler's 54-yard field goal attempt was no good.

Johns Creek led at halftime 14-3.

Northwest Whitfield pulled to within 14-11 in third when Caleb King returned a Johns Creek fumble 75 yards for a touchdown. Colter Creswell completed a pass to Tallon Trew for the two-point conversion and the Bruins were within three points.

The Bruins held the Gladiators on their next possession and got the ball back. However Creswell fumbled and the ball was recovered by Sam Arrington of Johns Creek.

Overton then ran 23 yards for a touchdown for a 21-11 lead with 4:14 left in the game.

Johns Creek added three more points on Fowler's 40-yard field with 1:22 left.

Creswell then dorve the Bruins down the field, before hitting Luke Hensley for a 12-yard touchdown, cutting the Gladiators' lead to 24-18 with 14 seconds left.

Johns Creek had a total of 315 yards on offense to Northwest Whitefield's 186. The Gladiators hurt themselves with penalties all night, racking up 104 yards on 12 penalites. Northwest Whitefield was penalized only four times for 30 yards.  Johns Creek's Solomon had 21 carries for 124 yards and one touchdown, while Overton had 16 carries for 58 yards and also completed 9 for 18 passes for 115 yards. 

 On the defensive side of the ball, Tommy Welch led the Gladiators in tackles with seven, followed by Jack Pomerantz and Sam Arrington with six each.